Ukip demands immigration ban

All immigration to the UK should be halted for five years, the UK Independence Party (Ukip) has said.

The controversial proposal is contained as part of a new policy review by the party ahead of its annual conference, which is due to begin in central London.

Party leader Nigel Farage, speaking ahead of the conference, said the Government’s handling of immigration from the EU had been a “shambles” and claimed “millions” of migrants had come into Britain.

As well as the moratorium, the policy also calls for migrants to be fluent in English, have educational qualifications, demonstrate loyalty to the UK and be able to support themselves with no recourse to state funds.

Ukip’s main policy is to pull Britain out of the European Union, but Mr Farage is expected to tell party members that migrants are placing too much of a strain on public services.

The party wants the freeze on immigration to remain until what they see as “proper controls” are put in place.

Mr Farage said that the huge influx of migrants in recent years had left public services unable to cope with the increase in demand.

He said: “We need a five-year gap so we can absorb the recent waves of migrants, particularly from eastern Europe.

“The Government said there would only be a few thousand coming to this country, and instead it’s been millions.

“The problem isn’t people from outside the EU, who we can control, but the unlimited immigration from within to whom we cannot refuse entry.”